what is psychotherapy?

Aristotle coined the term "psyche" to mean "the human mortal soul." The term "therapy" means healing. So psychotherapy means soul healing...

I was drawn to psychotherapy from an early age. My parents were both interested in psychology, so there were many psychology books in my home growing up. Books such as Ram Dass’s, “Be Here Now,” Carlos Casteneda’s “Journey to Ixtlan,” R.D. Laing’s “Politics of Experience, and Sheldon B. Kopp’s “If You Meet The Buddha on the Road, Kill Him!” were among the most influential. Kopp’s statement about what psychotherapy is made me feel that psychotherapy was likely the most important and honorable work than anyone could do.

“The therapist can interpret, advise, provide the emotional acceptance and support that nurtures personal growth, and above all, he can listen. I do not mean that he can simply hear the other, but that he will listen actively and purposefully, responding with the instrument of his trade, that is, with the personal vulnerability of his own trembling self. This listening is that which will facilitate the patient’s telling of his tale, the telling that can set him free.”

— Sheldon B. Kopp, If You Meet the Buddha on the Road, Kill Him: The Pilgrimage Of Psychotherapy Patients

As a youth I became interested in humanistic psychology and Eastern Mysticism. I grew up with parents who embraced yoga and Zen Mindfulness practice. But I in typical ADHD fashion pursued careers in music and fitness.

Toward midlife I returned to my first love – psychology. After pursuing a Masters in Counseling Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute in Santa Barbara, I moved to Los Angeles to do my internship, getting licensed in 2011. I worked in community mental health with children and families. I found this work heartfelt and deeply meaningful. I was able to help young people and their families learn to live with ADHD, as well as other mental health conditions, whether they chose to use medications, or not.

Now, in addition to working in private practice, I specialze in ADHD coaching. I have written the book, "The ADHD Guy's Handbook." I have developed a coaching system that can help reduce the symptoms of ADHD. For more information, please visit the site www.adhdguy.com.

Limits of Confidentiality

The law protects the relationship between a client and a psychotherapist, and information cannot be disclosed without written permission.

Exceptions include:

Suspected child abuse or dependant adult or elder abuse, for which I am required by law to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.

If a patient threatening serious bodily harm to another person/s, I must notify the police and inform the intended victim.

If a patient intends to harm himself or herself, I will make every effort to enlist their cooperation in ensuring their safety. If they do not cooperate, I will take further measures without their permission that are provided to me by law in order to ensure their safety.